MINI Aceman Deep Dive: Specs, Performance & How It Fits into MINI’s Future

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MINI’s recent history has been full of evolution. Since the BMW-engineered rebirth in the early 2000s, the brand has continuously evolved to stay relevant with various Cooper models and Clubman and its best selling Countryman. Now, with the MINI Aceman, we might be looking at one of the most significant steps in its recent history—a crossover that straddles the line between the classic MINI ethos and the electric future.

But what exactly is the Aceman? And how does it stack up in terms of specs? We recently looked at how it fits into the line-up and compares with its siblings, now let’s take a deep dive into its technical details, comparing the E, SE, and the high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) version.

The Basics: MINI Aceman at a Glance

Unsurprisingly all three variants—the Aceman E, Aceman SE, and JCW Aceman share the same overall dimensions. But it’s how they stack up to the other four door MINIs that’s interesting.

Models	J05 Aceman	F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door	U25 Countryman (’24-’32)
Length	4079 mm / 161 in	4,036 mm (158.9 in)	4429 mm / 174.37 in
Height	1514 mm / 59.6 in	1,464 mm (57.6 in)	1613 mm / 63.5 in
Wheelbase	2526 mm / 99.44 in	2,567 mm (101.1 in)	2670 mm / 105.11 in
Cargo Volume	300 liters (10.6 cu ft)	275 liters (9.7 cu ft)	705 liters (24.9 cu ft)
Cargo Volume (seats down)	1,005 liters (35.5 cu ft)	925 liters (32.7 cu ft)	(1,588 liters) 56.1 cu ft

The Aceman is a crucial bridge between the traditional MINI Cooper hatchback and the larger MINI Countryman. It’s targeting drivers who want the go-kart feel but need more space—all without going full SUV.

The Countryman wins out in cargo capacity due to its larger size. However it’s the similarity with the F65 MINI Cooper five-door that should be noted. The F65 was introduced as a refresh of its predecessor, measures 4,036 mm in length, 1,744 mm in width, and 1,464 mm in height. These dimensions provided a compact yet practical hatchback option – especially for those in urban settings. On the other hand, the J05 MINI Aceman, MINI’s foray into the electric crossover segment, measures 4,079 mm in length, 1,754 mm in width, and 1,514 mm in height. This makes the Aceman slightly longer (+43 mm) and taller (+50 mm) while being fractionally wider (+10 mm), than the F65. In other words it’s a crossover version of the same concept.

They also all feature a single-speed automatic transmission and all models are exclusively front-wheel drive. Why no real wheel drive? The Aceman is built on the same platform as the J01 Cooper and thus was never engineered to have dual motor set-up, a necessity for an all wheel drive EV.

Now, let’s break down what sets them apart.

The Aceman E

MINI Aceman E: The Entry-Level Electric Crossover

If the Aceman lineup were a rock band, the E would be the smooth baseline—foundational, steady, and dependable.

Performance & Powertrain	Specification
Motor Output	184 hp (135 kW)
Torque	290 Nm
0-100 km/h	7.9 seconds
Top Speed	160 km/h

While not the quickest, the Aceman E offers a balanced power-to-weight ratio (12.2 kg/kW) and an instant torque delivery, making it feel zippy in the city.

Battery & Charging	Specification
Battery Size	42.5 kWh (gross), 38.5 kWh (net)
Range (WLTP)	Up to 309 km
AC Charging Time	7.4 kW AC: 6.75 hours (0-100%)
DC Charging Time	70 kW DC: 28 minutes (10-80%)

With modest range and charging speeds, the E is clearly designed for urban commuting rather than long-haul adventures.

The Aceman SE

MINI Aceman SE: More Power, More Range

The SE is the middle ground—offering a noticeable performance boost over the E while improving range.

Performance & Powertrain	Specification
Motor Output	218 hp (160 kW)
Torque	330 Nm
0-100 km/h	7.1 seconds
Top Speed	170 km/h

This SE is noticeably quicker, especially with 30% more torque than the base model. While the 0-60 still doesn’t crack into the 6 second range, it’s increase in torque makes it feel much more responsive.

Battery & Charging	Specification
Battery Size	54.2 kWh (gross), 49.2 kWh (net)
Range (WLTP)	Up to 405 km
AC Charging Time	7.4 kW AC: 9 hours (0-100%)
DC Charging Time	95 kW DC: 31 minutes (10-80%)

The SE’s larger battery and 95 kW fast-charging capability make it a better choice for road trips, giving it 96 km more range than the E. This will especially help in colder weather environments where batteries can lose almost 30% of range.

The Aceman JCW

MINI John Cooper Works Aceman: The Performance EV

For those who want a MINI with extra spice, the John Cooper Works Aceman delivers.

Performance & Powertrain	Specification
Motor Output	258 hp (190 kW)
Torque	350 Nm
0-100 km/h	6.4 seconds
Top Speed	200 km/h

Let’s get this out of the way – this is a true hot crossover despite being front wheel drive. While 6.4 second isn’t a blistering 0-60 time in 2025, it’s suspension tuning and overall feel create an engaging driving experience that few rivals offer. While some will callout the FWD layout as limiting, it helps reduce weight (it’s already 3,935 lbs) and helps with range.

Battery & Charging	Specification
Battery Size	54.2 kWh (gross), 49.2 kWh (net)
Range (WLTP)	Up to 355 km
AC Charging Time	11 kW AC: 5.5 hours (0-100%)
DC Charging Time	95 kW DC: 31 minutes (10-80%)

Speaking of range, it’s down slightly to the SE but it seems like a fair trade-off for the increase in performance.

The Aceman SE with the JCW Trim

MotoringFile’s Take

With all of that said, there are some clear positives and negatives to the MINI Aceman.

Strengths	– Crossover more aligned to consumer desires than the Clubman – More Interior Space than a 5-Door Cooper despite being relatively the same size – Instant Torque makes it feel responsive Fast-Charging Support (SE & JCW)
Potential Weaknesses	– Front-Wheel Drive Only (No AWD) – Not a True Hot Hatch (JCW could use dual motors) – Relatively Modest Range (Competitors push 450-500 km)

The MINI Aceman marks a shift for the brand, slotting between the Cooper and Countryman as an all-electric crossover aimed at urban drivers. It keeps MINI’s signature compact proportions but adds more space and tech, leaning heavily into a futuristic design language. Whether it resonates with consumers is another question.

	J05 MINI Aceman E	J05 MINI Cooper SE	2025 J05 Aceman JCW
Horsepower	184 hp	218 hp	258 hp
Torque	214 lb-ft	243 lb-ft	252 lb-ft
Range (WLTP)	183 – 193 miles	237 – 253 miles	221 miles
Battery Size	40kWh	54kWh	54kWh

The Aceman SE with the JCW Trim

The lack of all-wheel drive might limit its appeal in some markets, and while MINI claims it retains the brand’s trademark agility, there’s plenty of rivals that offer it.

It’s also worth noting that the Aceman won’t be available in North America anytime soon, and some markets—like Australia and New Zealand—are only getting limited models. MINI is betting big on an electric future, but with availability restricted, the question isn’t just whether people will want it—it’s whether they’ll even get the chance to buy it.

Still we think the Aceman is an important step for the brand. MINI is straddling the line with the classic small hatch formula and the crossover layout that so many people are looking for. To us, it would appear that the Aceman does this quite well.

MINI Aceman Photo Gallery

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